When I got the opportunity to ask London-based podiatrist Dr. Margaret Dabbs for the shoe styles that, in her professional opinion, aren’t good for your feet, I expected her to tell me that we should avoid sky-high stilettos and ultra-narrow pointy-toes. (And I was right about those—she’s not a huge fan.) I wasn’t, however, expecting her to be wary of two of the trendiest shoe silhouettes of the past few years (one of which I happen to own in two colors): Adidas Sambas and ballet flats. Here’s why—plus how to wear those two styles without killing your poor feet.
A Podiatrist Told Me She Isn’t a Fan of These 2 Ultra-Trendy Shoe Styles (but All Hope Isn’t Lost)
There are ways to rock them without hurting your poor feet
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Published Aug 12, 2024
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Meet the Expert
Dr. Margaret Dabbs, MD, is a podiatrist and founder of her eponymous brand, Margaret Dabbs London. Dr. Dabbs was awarded an OBE in the 2023 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of her services to Business and Podiatry, her entrepreneurial ability and for creating a brand-new wellness category within beauty for the care of Feet, Hands and Legs.
Right off the bat, Dr. Dabbs tells me, “Our choice of footwear is an expression of our personality and identity, and this is often considered before thinking about how our choice of shoes impacts our foot health.” Ill-fitting or inappropriate shoes, she adds, can lead to a host of issues, from corns and callouses to ingrown toenails and bunions. “Comfort should always sit alongside style when it comes to choosing footwear.”
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On the subject of Sambas, which have surged so much in popularity that it’s hard to go a day without seeing at least one pair in the wild, Dr. Dabbs admits that while they can be very comfortable, “Constant wearing of flat shoes and trainers can lead to plantar fasciitis.” She adds that Sambas can also be too narrow for some wearers, and that it’s crucial to choose shoe styles that are wide enough for your feet. All hope is not lost, though. If you must wear your beloved Sambas (*sheepishly raises hand*), Dr. Dabbs says that a custom-molded orthotic can make a world of difference: “This will support bunions, plantar fasciitis and foot, knee or back pain,” she explains.
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Another ultra-popular style Dr. Dabbs isn’t too keen on is the dainty ballet flat. These ballerina-inspired styles, she shares, offer very little support and can cause issues with flattened arches of the feet. Additionally, “They can be difficult to keep on the foot, and they can also be narrow at the toes causing pinching.” (She notes that especially if you are experiencing weight gain and/or swelling pregnancy, ballet flats should be avoided.)
Dr. Dabbs isn’t alone in her assessment of ballet flats. Last year I chatted with another podiatrist, Dr. Najwa Javed, who echoed Dr. Dabbs’s sentiments, telling me of the style, “Given the popularity of ballet flats, you would like a podiatrist to love them, but the truth is that they are not recommended for prolonged walking or standing.” Over time they can cause pain, she shared—pain isn’t limited to your feet. Dr. Javed explained that the inherent lack of support in ballet flats can lead to undue strain on the arch of the foot, leg muscles and even lower back, potentially causing conditions like arch pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and back pain.
As with adding custom orthotics to your Sambas, there are healthier ways to rock ballet flats. Dr. Javed shared these features that make ballet flats healthiest for your feet:
- “They have a stable and stiff sole that only bends at the toe box—this feature helps to support the arch of your foot and reduces strain on your plantar fascial band.”
- “They have a good, padded insole. The more padding the insole has the better shock absorption is noted through the foot, decreasing bone injury from pounding on pavement.”
- “They have a slight heel; ballet flats that have a slight heel or elevation help reduce the tension on the posterior chain (lower back muscles) and can help with reducing back pain.”
So, are there healthier shoes for your feet that the very trendy Adidas Sambas and ballet flats? There sure are, but if you’re not quite ready to give up those styles, there do exist ways to minimize the potential damage to your precious feet.
